World

Eight dead as truck ploughs into New York cycle path in suspected terror attack

A van driver has killed at least eight people in a terrorist attack in New York. Picture by Bebeto Matthews, Associated Press
A van driver has killed at least eight people in a terrorist attack in New York. Picture by Bebeto Matthews, Associated Press A van driver has killed at least eight people in a terrorist attack in New York. Picture by Bebeto Matthews, Associated Press

AT least eight people have been killed in a terrorist attack in New York after a rented van drove on to a bicycle path in Lower Manhattan.

Police said the van entered the cycle path on West Street and hit several people in the city yesterday afternoon, leaving mangled bicycles behind.

The driver emerged from the van screaming and holding two imitation firearms.

He was later shot and arrested by police officers. He remained in custody last night.

At least a dozen people were injured in the incident near the World Trade Center. The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said the Manhattan attacker had killed eight people in "a particularly cowardly act of terror".

He said the attack was "aimed at innocent civilians going about their daily lives" and "eight innocent people have lost their lives and over a dozen more are injured".

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump had been briefed by White House chief of staff John Kelly.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected," she said.